LILLIAN AXE

Lillian Axe have been around for years, having been formed in New Orleans back in 1983. They are a band I've been aware of for twenty odd years but have never actually listened to before. The current line up consists of Derrick LeFevre on vocals, Steve Blaze on lead guitar and keyboards, Sam Poitevent on guitar, Eric Morris on bass and Ken Koudelka on drums. This is the band's ninth album and it begins with a brief acoustic instrumental, before kicking off in earnest with 'Mega Slow Fade' which is an up tempo track with a good rhythm to it. It also features different vocal styles which prove quite effective. Next up is 'Jesus Wept' and this is again a decent track, featuring some good backing vocal harmonies. The title of this track gives the first hint of the overall feel of this album from a lyrical and thematic perspective. It is loaded with religious overtones and also deals with the end of the world through global warming and, generally, man's destructiveness, as evinced by the album's title. 'Ignite' follows and contains some good bass work and quality harmonies. 'The Grand Scale of Finality' is next and again has a religious theme (and a nice riff!). The title track follows and is one of the highlights of the album. It is the first balladic tack on the album but builds really well from an acoustic introduction. The remainder of the tracks are split roughly between more up tempo, heavy songs and more balladic, radio friendly efforts. Amongst the highlights are 'Down Below the Ocean', which features a heavy riff and some really good guitar work and 'Divine' which has some more good bass parts, nice harmonies and a decent riffed section. Overall, this is a decent album with some really good tracks but it offers little in the way of new ideas or orginality. As such, if you're a fan of the band then this is probably a compulsory purchase but, if not, it's worth a listen but it won't change your world.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Blistering Records

Album

SAD DAY ON PLANET EARTH

Review by Dave Uphill

RUNNING TIME:

53:32

RELEASE DATE:

29th June 2009

TRACK LISTING

1) Cocoon
2) Megaslowfade
3) Jesus Wept; 4) Ignite
5) The Grand Scale of Finality
6) Sad Day on Planet Earth
7) Hibernate; 8) Within Your Reach
9) Down Below the Ocean
10) Blood Raining Down on Her Wings
11) Cold Day in Hell
12) Nocturnal Symphony
13) Divine; 14) Kill Me Again
15) Fire, Blood, the Earth and Sea

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

USA

"...a decent album...but it offers little in the way of new ideas or orginality."